Take a look inside the new 'modular homes' for homeless people in Cornwall
They will be used as 'move on' accommodation for those without somewhere to live
Last updated 7th Aug 2021
It has been revealed what new 'modular homes' for homeless people in Cornwall will look like.
10 one-bedroom homes are being installed at a former industrial site near Pool, and officials say they will 'pay homage to the traditional miners' cottages of the area'.
Work is set to begin shortly at Cowlins Mill in Penhallick Road, Carn Brea, on the Council-owned development.
The homes will be used as ‘move on’ accommodation to support people without somewhere to live on their journey towards settled, permanent homes.
The project has been led by Cornwall Council’s Housing Delivery and Development Team and will see the former industrial workshops and offices on the site converted into management, meeting and recreation space, and a pedestrian walkway from the site to Pool will be created.
The new modular homes are a first for Cornwall Council.
At the heart of the site will be the 10 modular homes, designed by Zed Pods. The homes are permanent structures, built to a mortgageable standard and are supplied with a new build warranty.
The site was historically at the centre of mining activity in the area, with architecture characterised by timber, stone and slate-roofed workers’ cottages, mills and factories.
And the new development of net-zero-carbon housing – another first for the Council – will celebrate the site’s heritage while providing top-quality accommodation akin to a modern apartment.
Leader of Cornwall Council, Linda Taylor, said: “With housing a top priority for this Council, we are delighted to see this development begin on the ground.
“It is clear to see that these homes will provide those in the most need with a comfortable place to live while we help them to find long-term accommodation.
“This is just one of many ways in which we are working to tackle the housing pressures that we are experiencing.”
The new homes are designed to have the lowest possible running costs and come with living, kitchen and dining space in an open-plan layout, along with a separate bedroom.
The homes will be heated and supplied with hot water via a solar-assisted heat pump. Solar panels will also help to offset energy consumption.
Chairman of Zed Pods, Thomas Northway, said: “We are delighted that Zed Pods has been chosen by Cornwall Council to design and build 10 energy efficient high-quality modular homes on this very constrained and challenging site.
“The success of planning permission demonstrates our in-house design capability to bring forward such brownfield sites into residential use. This will be an exemplar collaboration between Zed Pods, Cornwall Council, Cormac, Cornwall Housing and suppliers – working together to deliver a zero-carbon development for vulnerable households.”
Key elements of the site’s history are being carefully preserved, including turning some of the former workshops into new walled gardens and restoring an arched stained-glass window and converting it into a clock to be mounted on the front of the new communal building.
Contractor Cormac is due to begin preliminary work on the site, which was previously home to a Council workshop and offices compound, shortly.
Jon Warner, Housing Options Manager at Cornwall Housing, which will operate the completed site, said: “The schemes Cornwall Housing has run on behalf of the Council during the pandemic have been life-changing for people that are homeless, giving them a safe place to stay. They have also been cited as a model of good practice and won a UK Homeless Link award for excellence.
“This modular housing scheme is a first for Cornwall and will further help to eliminate the need for anyone to sleep rough. The quality of these new homes will be excellent and give those who need it a comfortable place to live while they are helped into longer-term accommodation.”
Cormac Contracts Manager, Nick James, added: “Cormac is delighted to be delivering this project for the Council and to be playing a key part in supporting vulnerable and homeless people from across Cornwall.”
The project is being supported by funding from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Next Steps Accommodation Programme, which backs work to provide move-on accommodation for former rough sleepers and other single homeless people.
The new modular homes are due to be delivered to the site in the autumn and be ready for occupation in December.